Joseph Tupiri is the Acting Managing Director for the National Airports Corporation (NAC).
Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation Walter Schnaubelt formally announced Tupiri’s appointment on Monday December 12, 2022.
Schnaubelt said Tupiri will be Acting MD for the next three months, while the position is being advertised.
“I as the Minister made the decision putting a MD in place for an interim period of 3 months to give us enough time to call for expression of interest.
“Joseph Tupiri is no stranger to NAC. In his previous role, he was in the management capacity as MD prior to his exit.
Tupiri said, “I thanked the government for entrusting me in this position who had an understanding of the job.”
Meanwhile, Minister Schnaubelt clarified that the amendment to the Civil Aviation Amendment Act 2022 is no different to other statutory bodies.
“I have no personal issues against Mr. Rex Kiponge. The former MD was suspended on grounds of the question of fit and proper person, holding this position as MD of NAC and carrying out his roles and responsibilities where we felt that he was lacking management credentials to fulfil his duties.
“All I did on the amendments that took place on the floor of Parliament is no different to the standards and current legislation related to statutory regulatory requirements under all other departments.
“If it was anything, it was the Minister trying to put corrective measures in place to make sure the law enables the Minister to Act accordingly because NAC is a state agency under my responsibility”, he added.